PROVIDENCE — He was the first face people who worked at the U.S. District Court saw in the morning and the last person they saw when they went home.

By Tatiana Pina

PROVIDENCE — Court security officer Frank McKnight was remembered as a man who lived his passion and that passion was serving his community.

He was the first face people who worked at the U.S. District Court saw in the morning and the last person they saw when they went home.

U.S. District Chief Judge William E. Smith, North Kingstown Police Chief Thomas Mulligan and U.S. Marshal Jaime A. Hainsworth held a gathering at the court Friday to remember their colleague after he was struck by a RIPTA bus in the Washington Street crosswalk at Kennedy Plaza on Wednesday and died Thursday.

It was attended by people who work at the courthouse and people from the U.S. Attorney’s office.

McKnight, 69, of North Kingstown, served his country as a Rhode Island Army National Guardsman. He served his community for 27 years as a North Kingstown police officer, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant, followed by duty at U.S. District Court as a special deputy United States Marshal and court security officer where he worked for 13 years, Hainsworth said.

“There is a void at our front doors today, he said. “His smile. His passion. His helping hand. His good-naturedness. No words can adequately express what we feel today.”

McKnight, who was well-liked in North Kingstown, had a soothing way of dealing with people, Mulligan said, adding he was sure McKnight had brought his calm to the U.S. District Court building.

Mulligan offered his condolences to McKnight’s family, his “court family” and to the bus driver. Katherine Gormley, who has worked for RIPTA 27 years, 15 of those as a driver, has been placed on administrative leave for at least the duration of the police investigation and possibly an internal investigation by RIPTA.

Also offering condolences in statements were state police Col. Steven G. O’Donnell and Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin.

Smith said that traffic and the speed of buses at Kennedy Plaza are a concern and the area where the accident occurred is a “hot spot.”

“What this tragedy has shown us is how vulnerable court security officers and marshals are. We have to do everything we can to look at a tragedy like this and ask the question, ‘How we can make sure this never happens again?’” Smith said.

Smith said he has spoken to the chief operating officer of RIPTA, Raymond Studley, the head of its board of directors, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and Safety Commissioner Steven Paré about traffic in Kennedy Plaza. He planned to meet with some of them for a presentation on changes coming to the plaza and traffic safety.

The city has plans to redesign the plaza with park spaces, cafes, an open market, chess board tables and bocce to create a public square. That means moving the bus stops to the periphery along Washington and Fulton streets.

Smith said McKnight’s death was tough on the people who worked at the court with him and talked with him every day.

He was the first person you saw when you went to the courthouse and “the one you talk to about the game last night...,” he said. “He was one of the last people you see when you leave and he said good night to us.”